TY  - JOUR
AB  - Purpose The purpose of this paper is to produce the views of parents and siblings of adults with intellectual or developmental disability (ID/DD) around the use of psychotropic medication to manage challenging behaviour (CB) where there is no co-existing mental illness.Design/methodology/approach Seven family members of six adults with ID/DD were interviewed using semi-structured interviews, over the telephone or face-to-face. The interviews were transcribed, coded and thematically analysed.Findings This paper identified that if used appropriately, psychotropic medication to manage CB may be of benefit to some people with ID/DD; but there is a need to ensure the medication is prescribed for the benefits of people with ID/DD rather than those around them. Drawing on the knowledge of family may allow for the use of alternative strategies and the reduction of medication to manage CB. There is the need for improved communication with family members, inclusive decision making, and access to information regarding the philosophy and legislation regarding medication used to manage CB in adults with ID/DD.Originality/value This paper presents views of a small cohort of family members of people with ID/DD in Queensland, Australia. Findings can be used to improve approaches taken by service providers in their interactions with people with ID/DD prescribed psychotropic medication to manage CB, and their family members.
VL  - 11
IS  - 5/6
SN  - 2044-1282
DO  - 10.1108/AMHID-06-2017-0027
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1108/AMHID-06-2017-0027
AU  - Edwards Nicole
AU  - King Julie
AU  - Watling Hanna
AU  - Hair Sara Amy
PY  - 2017
Y1  - 2017/01/01
TI  - Qualitative exploration of psychotropic medication to manage challenging behaviour in adults with intellectual disability: views of family members
T2  - Advances in Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities
PB  - Emerald Publishing Limited
SP  - 207
EP  - 218
Y2  - 2024/04/23
ER  -